The Catcher in the Rye
Symbol Analysis

What Holden most wants to be in life is someone who stands on the edge of a cliff in a rye field catching children before they fall. The image is symbolic of Holden's desire to save both himself and other children from having to grow up into an adult world he sees as "phony." The image is even more symbolic because it is based on Holden mishearing a song based on Robert Burns (1759-1796) poem "Coming Thro the Rye," which is about two bodies meeting in the rye to have sex. Holden's misinterpretation underscores both his desire to shield children from the adult world, and his misunderstanding about just how innocent the world of children is.

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Cite This Page

Kestler, Justin. "The Catcher in the Rye Symbols: The Catcher in the Rye." LitCharts LLC, July 22, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016. http://example.org/lit/the-catcher-in-the-rye/symbols/the-catcher-in-the-rye.